Getting Out

[Rach]

Ever since he told me, that is all I can think about now!

I mean, I went from knowing we'd be w/ the Navy for another 3-4 yrs at least, to only 11 months!

It is going to be very weird not being affiliated w/ the Navy, period.

We will have civilian jobs...Daycare...buying a house....vacation days, sick days...

It will be VERY strange to come on to this site and read your guys posts regarding military and knowing I have nothing to do with any of it.

On one hand it scares me b/c what type of job will he find? What about insurance? There will be NOTHING, nada, for backup if we ever financially need it. Sure, I"ll be working, but he's going to be the main money maker until I get my degree.

But then I think about how he will be home with me everynight, us relaxing at our home at night and on the weekends, going on vacations whenever we can afford it and take vacation days. Him being there for our kids stuff.

I have been affiliated w/ the Navy for 3-4 yrs come January. Even when I wasn't w/ my ex, I was still somehow. While this is what I want, I will also have some feelings of apprehension when the time comes...

I have very good feelings about what the future is going to bring, but taking those first steps is going to be weird...

[Jennygirl]

Im sure you will be fine...You are a strong person and Im sure that the change will come easy for you...

[Rach]

Yes....I am someone who doesn't like change immediately, but oh well in this situation

[Kellie]

I feel the smae way you do Rach. Phillip told me about a week and a half ago, that he's getting out. Now granted we still have 3 yrs left till he get's out,and he could still change his mind. But He seems VERY serious. All he talks about ,is how he can't wait to get out.We made this decsion because he's in Cuba. Phillip is tired of being away from the kids and I. Ashtin is starting to have a hard time with him being gone. She had a really rough time over christmas.The one thing that sucks is he will have 10.5 yrs in. when his time is up, and would make us a little more than half way to retirement.But he says he's done.

I'm scared too about getting out. I feel the military has alot of security. You know you have a paycheck coming in. The medical is free(if you have prime). Now we'll have to pay for insurance. But then I think about the same stuff you do, he'll be home more. He'll get to do things with the kids,and be there for Ashtin's recital's, and school plays.And Gavin will start school in about 3 yrs. So we'll see what really happends. He might come to the end and say he wants to stay in. but right now it's not looking that way.

When yall get out let me know how civilian life is.

[Rach]

Will do...Ya know, it's not even just the financial security. It's also knowing your not part of that "community" anymore. If that makes sense...The girls you get close to that are experiencing similiar things...

All will be fine though

[Becca]

What are the odds he'll change his mind?

[Rach]

I think there's only a 2 % chance he'll change his mind.

He's been looking on job sites for the past 2 months b/c he wanted an idea of what was out there. Now this, he's really excited. He doesn't have any friends really in the military that are here, so commodary (sp?) isn't going to be keeping him.

He might freak out a bit when it gets closer, but I think he'll keep to it. I asked him last night if he could picture himself getting scared since for the past 4 yrs, this is what he has known and he said no way.

He joined the Navy b/c he wanted to do SEALS and now, while it's still a boy dream of his, he wouldn't do it. Being on a ship or on shore somewhere doing instructing isn't what he wants to do. He's really into computer stuff.

So, with all that, I'm pretty confident he won't.

But...only God knows what next year will bring us!

[sdshorty]

We NEVER depended on the military for security, I could NOT WAIT until he got those separation papers. I was part of the military life with him for almost 4 years, and I never got used to it, I don't think I could have ever lived a long time as a military wife. I love my civilian life. It did take a little bit for him to transition back, just because of the job thing and because as soon as he got out he was in the process of starting school. But to me the benefits of having your own freedome and your own life back totally outweighs and challenges of being a civilian. Many people love being a military family, and more power to them, but it was definitely not for us. I would NEVER want him to go back to being military. I mean if it something he totally loved and had his whole heart set on of course I would support him, but I would never like it or get used to it.

[harrisonsdream]

we've got 5 more years in and argh it'll seem forever, well these next two until we get married but i'm excited although apprehensive. i'm more nervous about where we'll be living.

[KevzQueen]

I felt the same way when he told me about putting an early out chit. He said he may be able to get out in April which would be the 4 yr mark for him. I said, "What about a job?" He said, "I'll get a job, baby." I think in a way with him being in the Navy just got me scared of him leaving it so soon. He has had jobs before and many people survive out there without having a Navy paycheck, but I think I got too comfortable with it. That's a silly thing to do though when some people in the Navy don't get paid when they should. I know we can survive out of the Navy because we did before, but it will still be a little scary just as it was when we came here. I was excited and nervous.
I can't say that I really got use to it either. He did boot camp then A and C school and all that took up a yr. We were in Jax for 2 yrs. When I was just starting to get really close to the people I met there, we came here. I think being here will make it lots easier for me to leave the Navy life. I don't need the friends I just left, but it's nice to have some sort of life and I don't have it here. Even if he wanted to stay in, I can't say that I would be 100% supportive of him because my children come before anything. They don't like him being away and I want them to make strong friendships with other kids. I have thought about the insurance thing also, but in my opinion, all the benefits of civilian world outweighs that. He'll make more money, get paid for overtime, I'll be able to start my career after my degree, vacations, buy a house and paint and decorate how I want it, etc. I am really excited and wish you the best.